Free Concerts Coming to Rochester Parks This Summer

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A concert is coming to your back yard...well, back WARD. It's the forWARD Neighborhood Park Concert Series. Six free events, in six parks, one for each ward here in Rochester, Minnesota.

Annie Mack will close out the series in September! (Credit: Annie Mack)

According to a press release, the City of Rochester, Rochester Civic Music, and Rochester Park & Rec is putting on the free shows; featuring local bands opening for regional, national, or international headliners. It's sponsored by Mayo Clinic and the first concert is June 30th at Cascade Lake Park..

This is an effort to support being outside, revving up neighborhoods to be as vital as possible, and, one of my favorite aspects, making this happen somewhere else than Downtown Rochester.

Personal Note: Don't misunderstand me, I LOVE Downtown Rochester so much that's where I live. A LOT of people never set foot downtown, tho, and I am so excited to see activities being planned for neighborhoods! How great for families to be able to walk with their kids to a park.

forWARD: Sarah Morris w/ Nancy Tobiason Kramer - June 30th, Cascade Lake Park

Local artist Nancy Tobiason-Kramer and her husband kick it off at 5:30 with a variety of music from the classics to the current.

At 6:30 it's Minneapolis based singer-songwriter Sarah Morris.

By the way, if you're an Annie Mack fan, she'll be performing at 6:30 on September 8th at the John Withers Sports Complex (Soul Train will be opening).

I see a lot of news people cutting this part off, but it's super important...

ACCESSIBILITY: Rochester Civic Music is pleased to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Please contact the department at 507-328-2201 (TTY 1-800-627-3529) five working days prior to the event you plan to attend if you require a special seating assignment, sign language interpreter, audio describer, assistive listening device or written materials in an alternative format (large print, Braille, computer disk, etc.)

2021 Twin Cities Summer Jam

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

Listen to James Rabe and Jessica Williams 6a to 10a on Y-105 FM's Early Morning Show.

Want more free outdoor concerts?

Who Is Playing Rochester's Down By The Riverside Concerts in 2021

Down By The Riverside Concerts are held at Mayo Park which is located behind the Mayo Civic Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Coolers are also allowed and on-site concessions will be available.